Sweetpea is set around Rhiannon, struggling to get her crappy novel published, living with her crappy cheating boyfriend, surrounded by crappy pointless friends and hating her super crappy job, her only loves in life being her Chihuahua, her Sylvanian Families and... brutally murdering people.
After a tragic childhood incident left her with the lasting life long damage of being a full blown psychopathic serial killer.
With Rhiannon's diaries we take a journey through her crazed and irrational mind.
The book took me a while to get into and honestly, I was going to give up; but i was bored on the bus and this was the only book I had. I am so glad I continued to read it, writing style took a while to get used to, although it has incredibly refreshing to read something so honest. The black comedy through out kept a grim character likable and lightened up the whole story line.
My ancient A-Level in Psychology was working overtime while reading this, and it was the psychological aspects that kept me hooked until the very end. She could be and was capable of love (mainly her dog), she felt empathy for baby Sam and was able to make meaningful connections with AJ and Daisy, not to mention her strange connection to Craig and his family.

This the only time I have read a book and not wished for a happy ending, Rhi and Craig moving to the country and raising a family would not have done this book justice.
The ending was great and even now, a week after finishing the book I still find myself thinking about it. Has the book finished because there are no more diary entries?
Am I happy about the prospect of her possibly serving life in prison?...I don't know. I did grow quite fond of her and worryingly found myself relating to her in a lot of ways.
I did have high hope for her, Craig and the Grain of Rice although it obviously would of never worked out, him being a scum bag and her a cold hearted manic.
I do understand why a lot of the reviews I have seen for Sweetpea say "you will either love it or hate it" I definitely can see why. You either 'get it' or you don't. It did take me a while but I am so glad I stuck with it.
Great Read!!!

A darkly humourous story that becomes compulsive reading.
It starts with a list of people – the author is writing their diary in the 1st person – clearly doesn’t like. But by age 2 you begin to get a hint I nee friends.. I don’t want then ...But to keep up my facade of normality, they’re just necessary and her friends, on their night out together, don’t recognise her sarcasm, but we , the readers , do.
But what happens less than 5% of the way through the book is where you see the real Rhiannon appear – the sociopath hiding in plain sight. And rather shocking is Rhiannon too.
“A person with antisocial personality disorder. Probably the most widely recognized personality disorder. A sociopath is often well liked because of their charm and high charisma, but they do not usually care about other people. They think mainly of themselves and often blame others for the things that they do. They have a complete disregard for rules and lie constantly. They seldom feel guilt or learn from punishments. Though some sociopaths have become murders, most reveal their sociopathy through less deadly and sensational means.” From the Urban Dictionary.
Rhiannon knows that she is a sociopath as she takes the test and gets 95% assurance, that yes, she has all the features.
As the book progresses you learn more and more about Rhiannon through her diary entries, she is the sweetpea of the office, with very dark behaviour as well, but she successfully masquerades as normal.
It becomes clearer as you read on that these are not metaphorical ‘kill lists, but real ones – sweetpea really wants to kill these people!
Rhiannon has been hit on the head with hammer when she was a child and received ventromedial prefrontal cortex damage, and the medical articles agree that people with such damage judge attempted harm including murder as morally permissible.

There's a lot of humour in this novel but of a very dark sort. I liked the 'kill list' entries in Rhiannon's diary and can certainly warm to a few of her choices. Some of the killings could seem justified in an 'eye for an eye' way but the poor taxi driver who was looking out for her certainly wasn't one. AJ too, who just wanted to do the right thing. I guess you have to read a book like this as a bit of fun and not take it too seriously. It is still a bit disturbing though.
If I could give a half mark it would have rated as 3.5 out of 5.

I'm not actually sure how to review this. Do not read if you're easily offended. We meet Rhiannon. A serial killer. Yet you can't hate her. At times you feel sorry for her. I enjoyed reading this but wasn't quite sure why. All I know is I hope there's a sequel

If you don’t like people staring at you for breaking out into fits of laughter, don’t read this book in public. Skuse knows how to write black comedy, and she’ll have you laughing out loud for sure.

Told in a series of journal entries, we journey with Rhiannon through her life as she documents the people she’d like to kill, manages to kill a few of them, all the while keeping up ‘The Act’ of appearing normal. I won’t divulge any more about the plot but I’m quite concerned that I wish Rhiannon was my friend. Wanting a serial killer for a friend is quite worrying but it’d be so worth it, if she was herself that is. Wait, wait, wait, let me clarify that, by herself, I don’t mean the serial killer part, I mean the sarcastic comments, the dry wit and the downright funny sense of humour.

Rhiannon is a wonderful character, and okay, she may have a few murderous tendencies but it makes for entertaining reading, and we all have our flaws, anyway, most of the people she kills are bad, so that's okay right!? I mean, who doesn’t get annoyed when the person in front of you at the checkout has finished paying for their shopping, their bags are packed and they have their change but they still stand chatting to the cashiers for ages, while you’re impatiently waiting, and then to top it off the cashier has the cheek to thank you for waiting when she eventually serves you – like you had a choice in the matter! Don’t fret, Rhiannon doesn’t kill this customer, she's just list-worthy, she tends to turn her fantasies into realities on the people who commit crimes of a more heinous nature. Yes, I’m shamelessly trying to justify having a serial killer for a friend but read this book and you’ll fully understand why. While this is crime fiction, it can be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys black humour.

I highly recommend this book, it’s hilarious, full of profanities, has some explicit scenes, it’s definitely adult reading material, it won't be for everyone but it was perfect for me; come and see what a day in the life of Rhiannon is like – just don’t call her ‘Sweetpea!’

This is a really unusual serial killer thriller, the plot is brilliant, it is cleverly thought out and there were some dark comical laugh out loud moments.
Sweetpea is however a truly chilling read and will no doubt divide opinion. I really enjoyed it and I'm so glad I had the chance to read it, as it really is a unique read and certainly deserves to be a success.

Thank you!

Brilliantly twisted and original! I have loved CJ Skuse's YA books and was excited to read this, and it didn't disappoint! The cover is fantastic as well!

The Blurb:

When she was good, she was very, very good. When she was bad, she was deadly.

Rhiannon is your average girl next door, settled with her boyfriend and little dog…but she’s got a killer secret.

Although her childhood was haunted by a famous crime, Rhinannon’s life is normal now that her celebrity has dwindled. By day her job as an editorial assistant is demeaning and unsatisfying. By evening she dutifully listens to her friend’s plans for marriage and babies whilst secretly making a list.

A kill list.

From the man on the Lidl checkout who always mishandles her apples, to the driver who cuts her off on her way to work, to the people who have got it coming, Rhiannon’s ready to get her revenge.

Because the girl everyone overlooks might be able to get away with murder…

When I started this book I wasn't sure whether I'd like it, but I carried on anyway and I loved it! I loved Rhiannon's darkness. I also loved C J Skuse's turn of phrase. I read bits out to my husband and he was laughing too. 5*

Its not very often I find myself liking a serial killer but this is one of those occasions. This story is told in the form of a diary about Rhiannon who finds herself having to kill people because of their actions. A very clever book.

My first thought starting to read this was that C.J. Skuse obviously needed a break from writing children's books to get rid of all the expletives abundant from the start. That makes me sounds like a right old fogey, sorry, it's not meant that way, it's just that Sweetpea is certainly not censored in ANY way. It has very bad language, explicit scenes of sex and violence; it's rude, crude and very funny - I loved it.

I don't think I've ever had such a soft spot for a serial killer before, but Rhiannon was so darn likeable. Yes she's totally deranged of course, and has an ever-changing hit list of potential victims, but considering she was the sole child survivor of the massacre at Priory Gardens, she's remarkably clear-minded. She isn't just killing anyone, no, on the whole her murders are somehow a little justified as they cleanse the streets of sex attackers and paedophiles (not that I'm condoning murder of course!). It's fair to say she has her targets firmly set in her mind and despite the brutality of the killings she still has her softer side, with her fascination for all things Sylvanian families - see she's not all bad.

Rhiannon is so unashamedly judgemental it's like reading a breath of fresh air - from her collection of irritating work colleagues to those guilty of somehow invading her personal space on trains, no-one is safe from her murderous imaginings. The only difference I guess, is that she's more than capable of finishing them off.

It's told through diary entries which I have to say work extremely well as the events steadily build up in an ever-growing snowball of death. Honestly once you start reading this you're never going to want to stop; so be sensible, don't start it late at night in bed because even when you do finally give in a succumb to sleep, those dreams are not going to be pretty. Believe me, I know!

It is so worth it though; who knew murder could be so much fun! A terrific, laugh-out-loud catalogue of horrors - brilliant.

Whoa! There is nothing, and I mean, nothing, sweet about Sweetpea. Rhiannon has some major issues, issues resulting from her past, her family and the fact that she's a little psychopathic. Killing appears to be her release, and it would also appear she has a very addicting personality, because she can't seem to stop. I've got to say there are some truly gruesome scenes, which actually had me cringing as I read them. Other scenes had me laughing and some scenes had me worried!! Why? Well, basically because I agreed with some of her grumbles, I understood her 'kill list', I get peeved off by many of the things that Rhiannon does. Thankfully I'm not up for killing someone! Although I understood her revenge/vigilante killing spree, she upped the anti when she started feeding her addiction with innocent people. An extremely clever story that had me hooked from the first page. With a few twists and turns on the way, along with some fabulous writing, I've got to say, I really enjoyed this book. I was provided with an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sweetpea sure is unique in its own way. A serial killer with split personalities and an obsession with knives and dead bodies, in more ways than one. This is where her happiness lies!

Rhiannon is an editorial assistant with a local newspaper. She lives with her long time boyfriend and her dog. She socialises with her friends under false pretences as deep down, she hates them! She keeps a diary on how to deal with anyone who just happens to upset her.

A horrific episode in her childhood brought her fame, but now she is just the girl next door. She hates her job and everyone who works there and puts on a brave face for that's the only way to get promotion. She is not very well liked either and none of them is aware of her other side!

A horrible murder hits the deadlines but it doesn't stop there. It becomes a recurring nightmare where most women fear for their safety. It's assumed that's it's someone who has taken on the role of a vigilante. It's really cold blooded murder! Revenge is the reason for one of the crimes but there are at least two occasions where the victims were innocent. One for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The diary is one of the main interests in the story but soon becomes boring. The detailed descriptions of the murders are quite sickening. The social media interactions are frightening. As for the humour, it completely went over my head. It's an unrealistic story but the final twist makes up for the shortfalls. It has an abrupt ending but I can't say that I would have liked to have seen anymore. This might appeal to some readers although it's not really my cup of tea.

I received a complimentary eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dark, disturbing, utterly brilliant! I loved this book!

Wow!! I'm left wanting more! This is not your everyday run of the mill read. It's got an edge that most haven't. It's rough and crude, and not for the puritanical. If you want something with a raw, bloodthirsty edge, then I wholeheartedly recommend this!!

This book on paper was totally not my thing but I absolutely loved it. Shocking, outrageous, disgusting and obscene, but boy what a read! Should I recommend? I dare you to read it! 4.5* from me. My thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy.

Rhiannon is a monster, a psychopath. She just can't help herself. Her head might be telling her that she's a vigilante, killing the bad guys who prey on women and children, but let's face it, she gets off on it all far too much for us to believe that justice is her only motive. But still, even knowing all that, I ended up rooting for a happy ending for her, even though she is a cynical, damaged, murderous bitch, and I would hazard a guess that I won't be the only reader who feels that way.

Sweetpea is not a book for the easily shocked or faint hearted. Sexually explicit, cynical and darkly comic, it would be easy to dismiss the style of writing as being too brash and the humour as a little too over the top, but the story is so addictive that you cannot stop reading.

All in all, this is a very original and daring book and one that kept me entertained throughout. I was glued to its pages long after I should have been asleep and was sorry when it ended.

Absolutely brilliant! I won't say much for fear of spoilers but this book combines a cracking heroine (Sweetpea) who has a very dark sense of humour with wry observations on the people around her.

This isn't the kind of book that I usually read - granted I like my thrillers but it is more graphic (violent) and more raunchy than I'm usually comfortable with. In the context of this book, it's entirely appropriate and Sweetpea's sarcastic humour really adds to the telling.

In short, if you like your stories a little bit dark and thrilling with an intelligent and amusing protagonist, you should love this book.

5* highly highly recommended (but not for everyone)

First let me say that I absolutely loved this one. I’m a long-time reader of crime novels and, as such, can feel a little jaded with them on occasion. Sweetpea smashed through that with a massive sledgehammer. It was full of wit, great humour that had me actually laughing out loud (which virtually never happens) and a lead character who I could not get enough of. One of the things I loved about it was that our fierce, psychopathic, cold-hearted but brilliantly funny protagonist was every bit, if not more, brutal than any fictional male serial killers I’ve come across. Often when the lead in a ‘serial killer novel’ is a woman, it’s because she’s somehow vulnerable or damaged or out for revenge. Whilst Rhiannon does possess some of those qualities, the undercurrent of her murders, and one of the reasons the book is so compelling, is that she simply gets a thrill from killing. This was such a refreshing angle for the book to take and I loved it.
The writing was convincing and so readable that I constantly had ‘one more chapter’ syndrome, the dialogue felt real and the situations were so well written that there will be countless readers feeling slightly uncomfortable as they recognise that they too have felt those same murderous thoughts on occasion!

There were some good twists and turns, and I loved the ending. Talk about leaving a reader hanging on for more, please give us a follow up!

You might have heard that the same author started out writing YA novels. Have no fear, Sweetpea is about as far from a young adult novel as you can get. Yes it contains vulgar language, regular descriptions of sex, graphic and brilliantly gory murder scenes and all manner of other ‘adult’ content. But really, if you’re reading this review, does that stuff really bother you?! Read it, I’m sure you’ll love it.

Before I started the Sweetpea I had glanced at some of the reviews. After finishing, I can totally agree. This is one of those books that will have a divided opinion. I actually started it thinking I'd hate it. Rhiannon is a character you'll love or hate. By the end, I was rooting for her. She's the female Dexter. A psychopath without feelings or so she thinks. Her kill list had me laughing a lot. Since the book is based in the U.K., I did have some problems in the beginning with items and slang. This book will stay with me for a while. Well worth the read!

Do not read this if you are easily offended - it is pretty outrageous! I really enjoyed it, and found it really funny in parts, then thought - should I really be laughing? I enjoyed it as a black, very black, comedy which always appeals to me. Rhiannon has a kill list that she compiles every day, usually she manages to resist acting on it, but not always. In a scary sort of way, I could identify with a lot of the things that annoyed her and could relate to her a lot of the time! I would definitely recommend this if you like something a bit quirky, dark and outrageous.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this as an arc and I just hope there is a follow up!